Apple audits suppliers, finds violations

Jake Widman
Tuesday, 02 March 2010 13:40

IT Industry - Strategy

Apple has published the results of investigations into working conditions at the plants that build the company's products. The company found violations including underage workers and mishandling of hazardous waste.

In its "Supplier Responsibility: 2010 Progress Report" (PDF), Apple has described the results of its monitoring program to ensure that its manufacturers adhere to the companies Supplier Code of Conduct.

The Code, the company says, is similar to the Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition Code of Conduct, but goes further in incorporating ideas from the International Labor Organization and the Fair Labor Association.

(Apple's code is available at www.apple.com/supplierresponsibility.)

The results paint a picture not only of working conditions at Apple's suppliers, but undoubtedly conditions at plants used throughout the computer industry.

Apple audits all its final assembly plants every year, plus a sampling of component and nonproduction suppliers chosen according to a combination of risk factors.

For results of the audits, see Page 2.